A renowned Ghanaian-born, U.S.-based medical doctor, Dr. John de-Graft Johnson, has developed a groundbreaking robotic surgery device that performs surgeries without the need for direct human hand involvement.
Dr. de-Graft Johnson, a veteran surgeon and the assistant operator of the robotic system, successfully performed a minimally invasive surgery in late June.
He made small incisions between a patient’s ribs and used robotic arms to bypass multiple blocked arteries, potentially extending the patient’s life by several years.
This robotic-assisted procedure offers an alternative to traditional open-heart surgery, which typically requires a large incision in the chest.
Dr. de-Graft Johnson notes that many patients find the idea of open-heart surgery daunting, as it involves a lengthy recovery period of six to eight weeks, with the patient spending five to six days in the hospital post-operation.
The robotic approach also offers benefits such as reduced pain and blood loss.
“Being a larger person, I would usually need to make a sizable incision to fit my hands inside the chest,” Dr. de-Graft Johnson explained, emphasizing his commitment to transparency with patients about their medical options.
The procedure involves making small incisions between the ribs to insert robotic arms and a camera into the patient’s body.
Last month, Dr. de-Graft Johnson performed his first coronary artery bypass using this method, successfully bypassing three arteries. The patient was discharged just two days later.
Since 2007, surgeons at Doctors Medical Center in the U.S. have been using the Da Vinci robotic surgery system for various types of surgeries.
The system’s robotic instruments offer greater range of motion and magnification compared to human hands, enhancing the precision of surgical procedures.
Dr. de-Graft Johnson began his educational journey at Datus International School in Tema, Ghana, before embarking on his medical career.
By Joseph Nana Yaw Cobbina
